Gitkin and the golden age of foreign sounds

If you’ve never heard of Gitkin, this article is especially for you. Also known as Brian J, here comes New Orleans-based Gitkin, who drinks from the rich musical source of his city to advance a step in what we call Psych Rock with some Latin touches, as we can now hear on his excelent and diverse new album: “Golden Age”.

Gitkin is a Grammy-nominated artist and producer renowned for his production skills (working with Cedric Burnside, Bernard Purdie, Cyril Neville) and as the mastermind behind the funk ensemble Pimps Of Joytime. As you might see here, when it comes to be creative, there are no limits, no boundaries for your music to reach a peak.

When it comes to creating I don’t think too much about anything, I just follow my intuition and try to come up with something compelling.

Gitkin

Maybe for that reason, one of his favorite genres is Cumbia, something he learned to appreciate living in the States: “Spending time in Brooklyn and New Orleans I’ve also been exposed to a lot of great music that has had an impact”, says Gitkin.

2 6 Things about Gitkin

RC: Your new album, Golden Age, is coming out the 18 th of October. It’s an album with a lot of complex sounds. Tell us about your relationship with Cumbia and all the genres that you presented here.

G: There’s a deep sense of groove and soul in all these styles I dive into, each genre is like it’s own world.
Spending time in Brooklyn and New Orleans I’ve also been exposed to a lot of great music that has had an impact. When it comes to creating I don’t think too much about anything, I just follow my intuition and try to come up with something compelling.

RC: Your music has a lot of Latin American, Colombian influences… What about Brazil, what do you think of our music, culture?

G: Sure, I love the classic 60’s and 70’s bossa nova stuff and guys like Gábor Szabó and Tim Maia. Joao Gilberto is untouchable.

RC: Who were your influences and inspirations that you tapped into to write and record “Golden Age”?

G: There’s a lot in there… The cumbia stuff is informed by Enrique Delgado. I love the Sudanese artist Mohammed Wardi. What he does with the pentatonic scale is magical. I love classic American blues and African blues like the Tuareg guitarists. The American twang thing is just in the bloodstream. Coming from Dick Dale and bands like The Pyramids.

RC: Your latest single “Tall Oaks Drive” has a real James Bond feel to it. Was that what you were going for? I only wish it were longer.

G: I was not thinking 007 specifically but I was envisioning some kind of vintage car chase. Or maybe a chimp that stole someone’s wallet and is being chased through the market.

RC: You’re finally about to release the album and tour. What are your special places to play? And how do you recreate all those sounds on stage?

G: We’ve had some great shows in the UK, Germany and Switzerland. Right here in New Orleans holds a special place in my heart though. I have a really great band that I tour with. Simon Moushabeck on keyboards, percussion and bass and Washington Duke on drums. We play the compositions but they wind up taking on a life of their own on the stage.

RC: Say hello to your listeners in Brazil!!! 🙂

G: Greetings Brazil! I hope to see you in person very soon. Love Gitkin!